Shoosmiths is committed to protecting the environment by demonstrating high standards of environmental responsibility in all our operations and minimising the environmental impacts associated with our activities, products and services. Climate science emphasises the importance of rapid and deep emissions cuts.
Shoosmiths has the following near and long-term science-based emissions reduction targets which have been validated by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi). The SBTi is a global body enabling businesses to set ambitious emissions reduction targets in line with the latest climate science.
The SBTi validated targets are:
Overall net-zero target
- Shoosmiths commits to reach net-zero GHG emissions across the value chain by FY2040.
Near-term targets
- Shoosmiths commits to reduce absolute scope 1 GHG emissions 55.7% by FY2030 from a FY2020 base year.
- Shoosmiths also commits to increase annual active sourcing of renewable electricity from 74% in FY2020 to 100% by FY2025 through FY2030.
- Shoosmiths further commits to reduce absolute scope 3 GHG emissions 50% by FY2030 from a FY2020 base year.
Long-term target
- Shoosmiths commits to reduce absolute scope 1,2, and 3 GHG emissions 90% by FY2040 from a FY2020 base year.
The SBTi validated targets are in addition to a target that has not been approved by the SBTi which Shoosmiths announced in 2020 namely to achieve net zero for its operations (i.e., scope 1 and 2 emissions) by 2025.
To achieve net-zero GHG emissions across the value chain by 2040 our approach includes:
- implementing, maintaining and communicating this policy across the firm and making it available to all interested parties;
- legislative compliance and demonstration of best practice;
- following recognised frameworks and standards;
- strategic decision making and improved operational practices to decarbonise our business;
- measurement, monitoring, analysis and reporting of our GHG inventory, aligned with the GHG Protocol, and our progress as we transition towards our net zero goal;
- rapid elimination of emissions will be prioritised where technically and commercially practicable;
- establishment and regular review of objectives and targets and publication of our performance against these objectives;
- investment of appropriate resources and information to achieve our objectives and targets;
- improving the energy efficiency of our buildings and IT systems and sourcing renewable energy where technically and commercially practicable;
- continued investment in agile working and IT and communication systems;
- minimising business travel;
- working with our suppliers to reduce supply chain related emissions through measurement, target setting and collaboration;
- supporting our staff to inform and empower them to implement carbon net zero solutions at work and at home. This includes internal awareness campaigns, training and the provision of HR benefits;
- advising and working with our clients to achieve aligned goals including legal advice, thought leadership and sharing of best practice;
- being a signatory of appropriate external initiatives and collaborating with other external interested parties so that we learn, share best practice and collaborate to champion positive environmental change; and
- neutralising residual emissions by using permanent carbon removal and storage to counterbalance the final <10% of residual emissions that cannot be eliminated.
Date: 3 July 2023
Signed: David Jackson, Chief Executive